Monday, July 21, 2014

Auction House description:
Outstanding Large-Sized Southern Stoneware Face Harvest Jug, possibly
Alabama, fourth quarter 19th century, wheel-thrown face vessel in the
form of a bearded man's torso with hands folded across his chest and
large applied pouring spout on reverse. Face includes large, applied
C-scroll ears, bulding eyes, nose, and well-detailed hair. Surface
covered in a reddish-brown Albany slip glaze with large traces of later
black overpaint. While the artist of this impressive example is unknown,
he was clearly familiar with and adept at face vessel production. The
skillful modeling of the face indicate a maker whose abilities rivaled
many of the face vessel producers in the American South during the
second half of the 19th century. The size and form, including the
distinctive clasped hands, suggest this example may have been produced
in Alabama in the Rock Mills potting style. That being said, the
application of the face reveals a more refined hand than most or all
Rock Mills school face vessels known. Excellent overall condition with
small chips to hair, one chip to ear, and two very minor nicks to spout.
H 14 1/2".